Does anyone know of a source for a motor  for a eclipse carefree patio awning except the junk from carefree? I have replaced this motor twice and now have to replace it again.  This is the same motor on the over the door awning that I also had to replace. Also seems to be the same motor on the step that went bad.

Goggle the part number from your old one. had the same problem an did that an picked up one off the net. It is the same motor that they use on cadilac an buick window regulators. seems I payed about 36.00 t0 38.00 dollars for it. I also have a 2006 Montery with same awning.

If this for your awning, it could be a simple adjustment.  I replaced twobefore talking to others with similiar failures.  If it's dead...it's dead.  However, if it works when you stop a few inches from being fully extended just try adjusting your the arms on your awning.  I found that too much resistance was the problem when the arms where at the end of their range.  I don't remeber if it was the end with the most or least angle.

Best of luck,

Gil
08 Contessa

Found rust on the armature magnets when I disassembled ours. Cleaned ( sanded) with emery cloth ridding it of rust. Oiled the end shafts and reassembled and checked with battery leads to confirm it worked. Then I caulked (sealed) all holes such as  brush spring holes and end cap. Assembled all and remounted to coach. Did ours 2 years ago. When we extend the awning we always  give it one click back in just so there's no tension on the gears. I would rather have the tension on the awning in the closed position rather than the open position because we can travel with it closed.

Googled the part #, and found that it is a Cadillac power window, and ordered one,  Cost $37.50. Will dissamble old one, and see if it can be cleaned for a spare.  The motor went when the awning was out.  I had to remove the motor, roll up the awning with the help of a kind RVer, and tie it up to the roof, to get home. SUCKS

Help-- I replaced the motor and now motor runs, all gears turn, shaft into roller tube turns but awning will not roll up or down. Is there something like a spring that is inside the roller tube that broke?

Hi Tom, had the same problem.  The gears from the motor to the awning break down.  Carefree will not sell to you, has to go through a dealer.  We broke it in Oregon and went through Beaver Coach Sales.  We had upgraded the awning so it was covered by warranty.  Tip on keeping awning up:  we drilled two holes through the awning cover a foot or so in from each end.  When the awning is rolled up (no easy task) a couple of tie wraps went around the awning and through the holes in the cover.  Kept it nice and tight and safe.  I will look to see if I still have a copy of the Carefree parts breakdown.  If I do, do you want me to send you a copy via email?
Jack

I haven't had occasion to tear apart an awning motor or drive, Tom, but your symptoms sound like a possible broken shear pin between the shaft and tube.  If so, you should be able to buy a replacement shear pin of the right size by removing the old one and taking it to a local hardware store.

But if that's the problem, I'd try to find out what caused the tube to bind and shear the pin;  it may be related to why you keep burning up motors.

-? Joel

Hi Jack, would love to have the parts list. Thank You  tompatfud@gmail.com

I will never buy another Carefree product Because of there inferior products and there unwillingness to help. The problem with my awning turned out to be the end cap of the roller tube. The shaft from the gear box has a flap spot that meshes with a flat spot in the end cap. the flat spot in the end cap has rounded out and the gear shaft spins in the end cap and does'nt turn the roller tube. I called Carefree and they informed me that I cannot buy just the end cap, but must purchase a complete motor and gear assembly foe $300.00. All I need is a end cap that is probably worth $20.00.

What about checking RV stores for salvage for a cap....could BCS in Bend help you?

Any big RV repair shop will have one or will.  These motors are replaced at a frequency that should make available some spares.  BTW, your unit must be different than what was being shipped in late 2007.  On mine, the end cap has both a mating slot and the end cap is screwed to the roller tube.  If you're referring to the shaft going into the end cap from the gear assembly, that should be something easily fized by a machine shop.

Gil
-----
2008 Contessa

I have to agree with Tom.  Our experience with Carefree has been less than satisfying, in stark contrast to prior experiences with A&E.  One mobile tech respectfully refused to repair our warranteed Carefree slidetopper mechanism, because of his prior dealings with the company.  It's hard to believe a company that's established such a poor reputation would still be in business, much less contracting bulk sales to coach manufacturers.

Girard owners should count their blessings.

Joel

I agree with the above complaints about Carefree. I promised them that I'd badmouth them every chance I could.

I did find a work around for my wind anemometer that automatically pulls in my awning when the wind blows. One cup broke off and they wouldn't supply just the cup unit, saying I needed to buy the cup and sensor assembly together, but that it was out of stock and wouldn't be available ever again. This for my 2007 coach. 4 years is too old to expect replacement parts?

I do have a part number for a wind cup assy. that works with a minor hole enlargement.

Ken

I fixed it with no help from Carefree. I took the end cap that had the rounded out flatspot and with a narrow file I filed a groove through the hole about a 1/8 inch deep. I then found a shaft key that fit in the groove and ground it down, placed the key in the slot and epoxyed it to keep it from moving while I filed it down to fit over the flat spot in the shaft. It took a lot of fileing, grinding with my dremel to duplicate the original flat spot in the cap. Finnaly got it to fit and the awning works fine. I hope it lasts. Also will still keep searching for a spare. I also drilled a hole through the  alunimun cover near each end close to the body so that I can just drop a wire through the hole and wrap it around to secure the awning in an emergency instead of tying the arms up to the roof when it would ever happen again.

(they wouldn't supply just the cup unit, saying I needed to buy the cup and sensor assembly together, but that it was out of stock and wouldn't be available ever again. )

Am I reading what I think I am above....one has to buy the cup and sensor together, BUT IT WAS OUT OF STOCK AND WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE EVER AGAIN.  Why would they tell you  to buy/order it if it was out of stock and NOT available??  as Carefree lost their senses?

May be I am not understanding this!  If I do, they need to be "bad mouthed".

Quoted from LEAH DRAPER

(they wouldn't supply just the cup unit, saying I needed to buy the cup and sensor assembly together, but that it was out of stock and wouldn't be available ever again. )

Am I reading what I think I am above....one has to buy the cup and sensor together, BUT IT WAS OUT OF STOCK AND WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE EVER AGAIN.  Why would they tell you  to buy/order it if it was out of stock and NOT available??  as Carefree lost their senses?

May be I am not understanding this!  If I do, they need to be "bad mouthed".

They said that I couldn't buy parts from them when I called them direct, I had to go thru a "dealer". So I called People Motorhomes, they referred me to the dealer in Fife. That dealer called Careless for the cup assembly, they told them that the cups alone weren't available, that the entire sensor was the only way to get new cups. They also said that the vendor that had supplied that unit "wasn't making them anymore" and that they had none in stock and would not be getting them back in stock. A 4 year old unit is obsolete in their eyes and they have no obligation to provide support. The only way to get a new Careless unit was to find one in stock at a dealer.

I found a similar cup assembly with only the shaft hole too small. A drill bit solved that problem and it works like a charm.

IMHO Carefree Awnings does not provide adequate customer service.

Ken

Careless.  I like that, Ken.  It's appropriate.

My over the door Carefree  ( ) awning won't operate. So while the coach is in getting a new satellite dish installed, I asked them to check the awning. Power all the way to the motor but motor doesn't work - likely need a new motor  which seems reasonable.

Now for the fun - as posted here earlier, I or even my service centre can't order from Carefree directly, so my dealer checked with an intermediary and the price for a motor and cap is about $400. Apparently the cap is sent as the only way to get at the motor is to pry off the old cap which often breaks - mine isn't totally broken, but may not be salvageable. AND the cap comes in black or white - neither are much of a match for the paint on my coach.

I read that the motor is the same as on a Cadillac. I guess I'll get the motor # and do some GOOGLING. Seems asinine to pay $400 for a little electric motor.  I have come to expect that we often pay extra for parts in the RV world, but this is just ridiculous. Not pleased with this BS from Carefree.

Ok, my personal experience. The over the door awning quit working on my coach with it out. Finally determined the sprocket was very poorly made that worked the awning. Was just tack welded in place and obviously not very tacked at that. Carefree had an updated motor and DID sell it directly to me. I think I paid around 350.00 for it and they shipped it to my home. Yes, I did have to destroy the cover to get it off and they did also send another cover in white. I got it installed and it has worked great since. I had a painter match my paint and paint the cover for me. Seems as cheaply as the old one was made it should have been repaired as a recall since they knew there was a problem and provided me an upgraded motor at my cost. Anyway I am glad it's done. But I am not sure why they shipped it to me but not to you.

Thanks Larry,

I haven't actually contacted Carefree, but the RV place I deal with, said they have nothing but problems getting things from Carefree, and have resorted to an intermediary firm - don't know if it is because we're in Canada or ???

Anyhow, as it was late today before checking with me, they are going to check again on Monday, and see if it can be nailed down as to price and what is included with replacing.

If it is that part and $, I guess so be it. To be fair I don't remember when I was looking at the coach whether that awning was operated - could have been dead for awhile. So in some ways, it is my fault as if it wasn't working when I bought the coach, I should have negotiated with the previous owner; my memory is failing, hopefully not as final as the awning motor

Jeff

As an update, the RV service ordered the replacement motor and cover (original was snapped to get off and Carefree sells the motor and cover as a package) on October 31; not here yet. And only for about $500 with expedited post. As I am not going anywhere in the near future I should have got it sent regular post - just trying to get it before winter sets in.  

However I have the PT stored in its shed and as the weather is getting colder with snow off and on, I was hoping to not have to take it back to have the techs install the motor. My shed is heated and they would be working on it inside so I guess it can be done as long as it hasn't snowed the morning I have to take it over.

Larry, did you install it or have it installed?

Jeff

Hi Jeff, I installed it with help from a friend. It came with instructions in the box so hopefully so will yours. It makes it much easier with a helper. Just be careful, the awning is spring loaded. Also it's a good idea to check it after you hook the wires up to make sure the open is open and close is close on the switch. If not you will have to switch your wires. It took us about 2 hours to get it done. Then I had a paint shop paint the cover to match the coach. Actually it might be a good idea to have that done before you install the cover. I was just worried about scuffing it up. Good luck Jeff!

I have found that Carefree to be a company that does not care at all. I needed a awning arm to replace one that was bent. I called carefree and was told that they were not making them anymore and they did not have any. The person I talked to sounded like she could care less. I finally found a used one in Florida and had to pay twice the price of a new one. If they do not upgrade their customer service I feel they will be going out of business soon.

Makes my 12 year old 20 foot all original  Girard awning look good!!!

I wonder how Carefree would react if a bunch of us disgruntled owners staged an "Occupy Carefree" rally at their headquarters next year.

Oh geez, how funny Joel!

You might get pepper sprayed as it seems to be popular with security guards.

Yup, and many of us know just how onery CareLess can be.  But you mean you wouldn't take a little pepper in the face for the cause?

Joel